It has been a very long time since I got in contact with you. It has been a busy and eventful time since our last contact. June 2006 was almost completely taken up by the organic producers class action trial against the BC Egg Board.
The trial started on June 5th and went for 3 weeks and 2 days. My brother Rod and I attended most of the days of the trial and I was on the stand for about 3 days in total. We felt it went well and were able to introduce and have accepted all the evidence that we needed to present our case. In cases like this it is always a guess regarding how a judge will rule. The laws are quite broad and interpretations can go any way. At least we told our story effectively and we feel the judge heard our concerns and understood them. We are hoping her ruling will be in September so we are just a little bit away from knowing the outcome.
I am greatful to all the witnesses that appeared on our behalf. They told their story elliqently and were able to fully describe the breath of the class of organic farmers in the COABCi that were adversly impacted by the actions of the Egg Marketing Board.
I don't know whether it was the trial or the unusual weather we have had this summer or may be just the fact that I am getting older but I never seemed to recover from June. Every crop I have grown has done poorer than the average production I am used to. I would like to think it is all a result of the cold wet spring that transformed rapidly into one of the hottest and driest summers I have experienced that has caused all the stress on me and my farm. If this is the case then I hope it is just an unusual year and next year will be better.
Going to the Farmers Market in West Vancouver has been a very positive experience for me and although I get tired, the warm friendly faces that always seem glad to see us at the market keeps me going through the week.
I certainly will down size next year and still hope to retire in two more years. How OLera Farms will structure itself at that time I still don't know.
